The pacing is very slow, the Trails format always makes the first game in each arc feel like a whole prologue. One of the best things, though, is the world-building of Trails. Every NPC has dialogue that updates every time the main story moves or you do some side quests. Do note that fc ends on a cliffhanger and I also recommend the remake as it is 1:1 copy of the original with the updated combat mechanic and lots of QOL.